Andrew McClelland
The Advocate
Environment Canada has launched a new federal agency that will protect Canada’s water from pollution and the damaging effects of industrial and agricultural activities, said Steven Guilbeault, federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
“Droughts, floods (and) pollution from farming and industrial activities have significant impacts on water quality — impacts that are very serious and costly,” said Guilbeault at a press conference in Winnipeg on Oct. 16.
The Canada Water Agency (CWA) will implement Canada’s Freshwater Action Plan, which was announced as part of the 2017 federal budget. The plan is aimed at improving freshwater management through efforts to improve the water quality of the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, the Fraser River and other waterways of “national significance” throughout Canada.
“The agency will help the Government of Canada better address current water challenges and those of the future,” Guilbeault told a crowd of reporters and the public in downtown Winnipeg, where the agency will be based.
“We need to be prepared for what comes in the future, we need to recognize that water is becoming more scarce and more precious. We have a responsibility to protect the waters we have.”
Despite Guilbeault’s comments that agricultural pollution has a significant impact on water quality, the creation of a stand-alone agency to manage Canada’s freshwater has been a recommendation of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) for years.
CFA president Keith Currie said the federation felt a pan-Canadian regulatory agency was vital given the importance of water for food production and adverse weather conditions driven by climate change affecting farming.
“(We) knew it was imperative that the government coordinate water-related issues across provinces, industries and conservation authorities to best manage water to keep it safe, clean and available for future generations,” said Currie, a sweet corn and hay producer from Collingwood, Ont.
“Water is one of the most essential inputs when it comes to food production, whether that be growing crops or keeping animals hydrated.”
At the moment, Currie says he can’t be sure how the creation of the CWA will impact the practices of agricultural producers in Canada. The federal government’s official release on the agency does not mention agriculture, and Guilbeault did not mention collaboration with agricultural groups at his announcement in Winnipeg.
Nonetheless, Currie says the CFA is hopeful that Ottawa will see agriculture as an ally.
“We will be working with the water agency on behalf of Canadian farmers to ensure that our sector’s needs are represented,” Currie said. “We also hope to see agriculture as a priority sector for water resources when competing with other industries.”
The CWA is funded with $85.1 million set aside from the 2023 federal budget. Ottawa has also pledged $650 million to enable the agency to offer grants supporting projects focused on restoring and protecting water resources.
Aim of Canada Water Agency
The Canada Water Agency’s current initiatives are:
– to restore and protect water quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems
– to advance science, monitoring (including community-based monitoring) and the application of Indigenous knowledge in cooperation with Indigenous peoples to support decision-making and effective action
– to improve collaboration with Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, and stakeholders
– to mobilize knowledge and reporting to measure progress towards results
– to improve climate change resiliency through on-the-ground action
The CWA will be headquartered in Winnipeg, including five regional offices throughout Canada and comprise 220 employees when fully staffed.
Cutline:
Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault (right) announced the creation of the Canada Water Agency in Winnipeg on Oct. 16 with Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid.